The world's leading English-language source for weekly news on professional baseball in Mexico, where there's no such thing as an off-season. Questions? Comments? Email us at BaseballMexico@live.com.

Friday, October 22, 2010

MEXICALI RELEASES KATIN, BRINGS IN COPELAND

It took less than two weeks for the Mexicali Aguilas to let go one of their six import players for this season. The Eagles released Milwaukee farmhand Brendan Katin to make room for Giants minor leaguer Ben Copeland (pictured) in what essentially amounted to a swap of outfielders.

The 6’1”, 235-pound Katin has put up impressive power numbers in the Brewers’ system since being drafted by Milwaukee in 2005 out of the University of Miami. He has spent the past three seasons with Class AAA Nashville in the Pacific Coast League, belting 69 homers and driving in 240 runs in that span. He hit .261 with a homer for Mexicali but also committed two errors in six games.

By bringing in Copeland, who turns 27 in December, the Aguilas will sacrifice power for speed. Copeland hit .280 for the Giants’ AAA team in Fresno this summer, hitting only four homers but swiping 23 bases for the Grizzlies. The left-handed batter was a fourth-round pick for San Francisco in 2005 out of the University of Pittsburgh after winning the Big East batting title that year with a .385 average. Copeland is no stranger to Mexicali manager Dave Machemer, who has managed in the Giants' minor league system the past six seasons.